AMERICAN GODS: Meet the Characters

AMERICAN GODS takes place in a world where gods and magic are real and the where the Old Gods are desperate to find their relevance in a modern world. The series, based on the book of the same name by Neil Gaiman, is a trippy and deeply rich adaptation, full of beautiful cinematography and mysterious figures.

Click through the arrows above to learn about the main characters in AMERICAN GODS.

Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle). Shadow Moon is released from prison to a life turned upside down — no wife, no job, and no bearings. The only thing he does have are mysterious dreams and a universe that seems determined to set him on a particular path. He is offered a job by Mr. Wednesday as a bodyguard, and as they journey across America, Shadow finds himself questioning a world where gods exist and magic is real.

Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane).Mr. Wednesday, a crafty and endlessly charismatic con man, is full of perverse wisdom, curious magic, and grand plans to unite the Old Gods in a battle for power against the New Gods.

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Bilquis (Yetide Badaki).Bilquis, an ancient goddess of love who craves the worship she inspired in eras long ago, is eager to find that same relevance in today’s world. So she turns to internet dating with some….strange and disturbing results.

Easter (Kristin Chenoweth). Once known as Ostara, goddess of spring, Easter’s holiday as been usurped by Jesus. But she embraces the jelly beans and chocolate bunnies in an effort to stay relevant.

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Laura Moon (Emily Browning).Laura Moon is Shadow Moon’s ethereal wife. She dies unexpectedly just before Shadow’s release from prison. Little does she know that her untimely death will lead her to an epiphany about her relationship and afford her a second chance to make amends.

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Low Key Lyesmith (Jonathan Tucker).Shadow’s one confidante in prison, Low Key is a surprisingly philosophical individual. Wiry and fast talking, with an offbeat sense of humor, he has a theory for everything and gives Shadow some sage advice to ready him for the outside world.

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Mad Sweeney (Pablo Schreiber).Mad Sweeney, a down-on-his-luck leprechaun, is having a hard time understanding how he lost his charm and way. Always up for a good fight (including a brutal one with Shadow in the premiere), Sweeney is never deprived while in the employment of Mr. Wednesday.

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Technical Boy (Bruce Langley).Technical Boy, a New God, is purveyor of all things technology. Desperate to prove himself, and hungry for respect and power, he struggles to keep his impulsivity and petulance in check, making him dangerously unpredictable.

Media (Gillian Anderson).A master of manipulation, Media assumes whatever form will deliver her message most effectively. And unlike some of her fellow New Gods, she favors persuasion over brute force.

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Mr. Nancy (Orlando Jones).Mr. Nancy, or Anansi as he’s otherwise known, is the African trickster spider god. A god of knowledge and speech, he is happy to share his gifts with anyone who will listen. His taste for chaos, regardless of consequence, makes him an unreliable soldier in Wednesday’s army.

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Mr. World (Crispin Glover).Mr. World is the seemingly omniscient leader at the center of the New Gods coalition, sometimes more challenged by his own subordinates than his enemies. In keeping an eye on the activities of the Old Gods, he realizes that their ringleader, Mr. Wednesday, poses an imminent threat.

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Vulcan (Corbin Bernsen).Vulcan is one of Mr. Wednesday’s oldest allies. He’s created a comfortable life for himself by harnessing his powers for the modern world, which makes him resistant to Wednesday’s plans.

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Zorya Vechernyaya (Cloris Leachman). Zorya Vechernyaya is the eldest of three sisters who watch over the constellations, guarding against horrors forgotten by modern man. Once accustomed to royal status, the sisters have learned to survive on far less in a country that has no memory of them.

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Zorya Polunochnaya (Erika Kaar).The youngest of three sisters, Zorya Polunochnaya watches the night sky without regard to, and seemingly unaffected by, the elements. She gives Shadow an invaluable gift, providing some protection on his journey.

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Robbie (Dane Cook). Shadow’s best friend and employer, Robbie promises to hold Shadow’s job for him while he’s in prison. Robbie is married to Audrey, best friend to Shadow’s wife Laura, and he provides another shoulder for Laura to cry on while Shadow is away.

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Audrey (Betty Gilpin).Laura’s once kind and generous friend, Audrey has been pushed to the brink by recent events…those events being Laura’s affair with Audrey’s husband. But Audrey’s loyalty to Laura remains, despite Laura’s current undead state.